Lakeland Ledger names Leon Tucker executive editor Tucker previously worked as a reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Â By Kimberly C. Moore, Lakeland Ledger Published Feb. 5 LAKELAND â A longtime journalist with Gannett, who most recently worked in public relations, is taking over the helm of The Ledger newsroom, Gannett officials announced Wednesday. Leon Tucker was named executive editor, the first Black person to hold that position in the newspaperâs 97-year history. âLeon is coming home,â said Cindy McCurry-Ross, Gannett Florida Editor, noting that Tucker grew up in St. Petersburg and spent much of his early career at Florida papers. âLeon is overjoyed to be returning to public service journalism.â